NEARLY one sixth of all land in Runcorn and Widnes is 'potentially' contaminated, according to a report on ill health in the borough.

And academics have warned it is vital further checks are carried out in the borough's most contaminated wards to protect residents from side-effects.

The document - Understanding The Factors Affecting Health in Halton - was compiled by researchers at Lancaster University.

The report was commissioned by council chiefs in a bid to determine the factors which give residents in the twin towns one of the lowest life expectancies in England and Wales.

Researchers discovered that 5% of homes in the borough could be at risk from wind-blown dust from contaminated land.

The report says: 'The close proximity of housing to potentially contaminated land may be significant. Wind-blown dust, recreational activity and general day-to-day movement in the immediate vicinity could result in health risks to the local population.'

And the report indicates that people living on or near contaminated land are 'much more likely' to be at risk from 'adverse health effects'.

A spokesman said: 'The study has identified a much higher incidence of potentially contaminated land in Riverside, Mersey and Halton wards than anywhere else in the borough.

'As such, it is recommended that Halton Borough Council should accelerate the process of risk assessment in these three wards and, where necessary, soil surveys should be completed within two years.

'Such work is crucial if the precise risks to human health in Halton borough are to be ascertained.'

The group's study also revealed that although the quality of the borough's air had improved over the past few years, more work has to be done.

A spokesman said: 'Compared to the other areas studied, Halton still experiences a heavier total pollution load and, especially, a heavier load of air pollution.

'Pollution levels for carbon monoxide, lead and sulphur dioxide fall comfortably below average standards set by health experts.

'However, it is clear that there are a number of hot spots worthy of more detailed monitoring.'

Nitrogen dioxide concentrations in Runcorn exceed the annual average.

The report said: 'The wards most severely affected are Mersey and Beechwood. The exceeded area also includes Run-corn town centre, which has implications for people who use the town centre on a daily basis.'